Foramen rotundum

Pterygoid (vidian) canal

Palatovaginal (pharyngeal) canal

Posterior superior alveolar n. from the pterygopalatine fossa into the infratemporal fossa

3rd part of the maxillary a. from the infratemporal fossa into the pterygopalatine fossa

A variable network of veins, such as the sphenopalatine, into the pterygoid plexus of vv.

Medial wall of the pterygopalatine fossa

Often located posteriorly to the middle nasal concha

Nasopalatine n.

Posterior superior nasal n. (medial and lateral branches)

Sphenopalatine a. and v.

Superior part of the pterygopalatine fossa

Continues posteriorly with the superior part of the pterygomaxillary fissure

Infraorbital n. from the maxillary division of the trigeminal n.

Zygomatic n. from the maxillary division of the trigeminal

Infraorbital a. and v.

Orbital branches from the maxillary division of the trigeminal

Inferior ophthalmic v. that connects with the pterygoid plexus of veins

Inferior part of the pterygopalatine fossa

Eventually terminates into the greater and lesser palatine foramina

Greater palatine n. and vessels (through the greater palatine foramen) onto the hard palate

Lesser palatine n. and vessels (through the lesser palatine foramen) onto the soft palate

Posterior part of the pterygopalatine fossa

Between the pterygopalatine fossa and the foramen lacerum

Inferior and medial to the foramen rotundum

Nerve of the pterygoid canal (vidian n.)

Artery (and vein) of the pterygoid canal

Posteromedial part of the pterygopalatine fossa

Medial to the pterygoid canal

Pharyngeal n.

Pharyngeal a. and v.

Passes from the infratemporal fossa into the pterygopalatine fossa via the pterygomaxillary fissure

Prior to passing through the pterygomaxillary fissure, it gives off the posterior superior alveolar a. (the only artery from the 3rd part of the maxillary a. that does not normally branch off within the pterygopalatine fossa)

Accompanied by the infraorbital n. and v.

The artery passes forward in the infraorbital groove, infraorbital canal, and exits the infraorbital foramen

In the infraorbital canal, it gives rise to various orbital branches that aid in supplying the lacrimal gland and extraocular muscles

In the infraorbital canal, it also gives rise to the anterior and middle (if present) superior alveolar aa. that supply the maxillary teeth from the central incisors to the premolars (where they anastomose with the posterior superior alveolar a.) and the mucous membrane of the maxillary sinus

On exiting the infraorbital foramen, the artery is located between the levator labii superioris and levator anguli oris mm. and follows the branching pattern of the nerve:

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  Inferior palpebral branch (supplies the lower eyelid)

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  Nasal branch (supplies the lateral side of the nose)

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  Superior labial branch (supplies the upper lip)

Descends into the greater palatine canal

Within the canal, the artery splits into the greater and lesser palatine aa.

Greater palatine a. exits the greater palatine foramen and passes anteriorly toward the incisive foramen and supplies the hard palate gingiva, mucosa, and palatal glands and anastomoses with the terminal branch of the sphenopalatine a. that exits the incisive foramen

Lesser palatine a. supplies the soft palate and palatine tonsil

Passes posteriorly into the pterygoid canal, accompanying the nerve of the pterygoid canal (vidian n.)

Helps supply the auditory tube and sphenoid sinus

Passes posteromedially into the palatovaginal canal

Helps supply the auditory tube and nasopharynx

Passes medially into the sphenopalatine foramen to enter the nasal cavity

It then gives rise to the posterior lateral nasal branches and posterior septal branches, which supply the nasal concha, mucous membranes, and nasal septum

The sphenopalatine a. continues along the nasal septum to enter the hard palate via the incisive canal